Cooks Spinney Primary Academy and Nursery

  • Primary
  • Academy
  • Ages 3 to 11
Ofsted judgements: Good

Cooks Spinney, Harlow, CM20 3BWOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Cooks Spinney Primary Academy and Nursery is a primary school in Harlow for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 604 schools in Essex. It ranks 30th of 30 primary schools in Harlow. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in November 2024, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 12 November 2024, report published 12 December 2024

This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.

Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Early years provision
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 12 November 2024

Pupils are rightly proud to be part of this inclusive community where people respect and care for each other. Positive relationships are central to everything at the school. As a result, pupils, including those who are disadvantaged and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), feel included. They actively participate in all aspects of school life. The school has high expectations for the knowledge and skills pupils will learn. This starts in the early years, where activities are carefully planned to ensure children learn the curriculum well. Most pupils behave well in lessons and around the school. This has a positive effect on their learning. At breaktimes and lunchtimes, they cooperate and take turns, enjoying the range of activities available to them. Bullying is rare and quickly resolved if it happens. Pupils are confident to talk to staff about any concerns they may have. The school provides a nurturing and caring environment in which pupils are safe and happy. The school has thought carefully about pupils' broader development. For example, pupils enjoy the opportunity to share their thoughts on a topic that is important to them during 'Spinney speaks' assemblies. Pupils are excited to receive achievement rewards every Friday for good work or behaviour linked to the school's values.

What the school should improve

  • In some subjects, pupils' understanding is not systematically checked before new content is introduced. This means pupils sometimes develop a superficial understanding of the key knowledge. The school should ensure that pupils' understanding is routinely checked, and any misconceptions addressed, before introducing new content.
  • Some pupils do not develop sufficient enjoyment in reading as they move through the school. This contributes to too few pupils being able to read with confidence by the end of key stage two. The school should ensure that there is sufficient emphasis on developing strong reading habits to help pupils develop the confidence required.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

56 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths38%

38%, 24 percentage points below the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths0%

0%, 8 percentage points below the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score100

100, 6 below the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score97

97, 8 below the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score98

98, 7 below the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

443 pupils on roll, with places for 468

Eligible for free school meals41.3%

41.3%, 14.8 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language25.5%

25.5%, 3.9 percentage points above the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support20.1%

20.1%, 5.3 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan4.1%

4.1%, 1.9 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Cooks Spinney Primary Academy and Nursery

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Tany's Dell Primary School and Nursery0.5 milesOfsted: Good83% met the expected standard
St Alban's Catholic Academy0.5 milesOfsted: Good57% met the expected standard
Freshwaters Primary Academy0.6 milesOfsted: Good62% met the expected standard
Church Langley Community Primary School0.6 milesOfsted: Good73% met the expected standard
Fawbert and Barnard's Primary School0.8 milesOfsted: Good52% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Academy sponsor led
Sector
Academy
Trust
BMAT EDUCATION
Age range
3 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
Yes
Headteacher
Ms Nadia Wilkie
Address
Cooks Spinney, Harlow, CM20 3BW
Local authority
Essex
URN
140024

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.